Where to Place the Router for Better Match Viewing
Moving a router out of a closed cabinet can change coverage. Choose the position by testing in your own rooms.
A good router position serves the places where people actually use the network, while keeping its modem connection and ventilation safe. Do not choose a hidden corner solely because a power socket is nearby, or balance it on a television without checking heat and installation guidance.
Start with an open location
Google recommends an open, elevated location for Wi-Fi equipment with fewer obstacles. Compare an exposed shelf with a closed cabinet and reduce the walls between the router and screen where practical. The geometric centre of the home is not automatically best when most active rooms sit on one side.
Consider metal cabinets, heavy walls and large objects, then choose two or three positions you could use permanently. Keep ventilation openings clear and avoid stretching cables across walkways or through closing doors.
Measure at the screen
Use the actual viewing device where possible. Play the same channel and quality in each configuration, noting interruptions and startup time. If measuring with a phone, keep its position and orientation consistent; its antenna performance may differ from the TV's. Repeat in the evening if that is when you usually watch.
If the router cannot move
A cable to the streaming device or an access point in a suitable location may work better than an inconvenient router position. With mesh, test the node's link to the router before judging its strong signal beside the screen. No single distance guarantees performance in every home: construction and room layout change the result.
Keep a short note of the position that worked and why. That makes it easier to preserve coverage when furniture is rearranged or someone wants to hide the router while tidying the room.
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